Staff Reporter
THE Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform will be undertaking an awareness campaign on the Namibia Livestock Identification and Traceability System (NamLITS) and stock brands.
This was recently announced by the ministry’s Executive Director, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, who revealed that the campaign will take place from 17 July to 31 October 2023, and the ministry urges all livestock farmers to cooperate and support the campaign.
The campaign, Nghituwamata added, will be undertaken by officials from the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) in collaboration with the Meat Board of Namibia. These officials will be visiting all regions to engage with livestock farmers and regional authorities on the campaign. The program for these visits will be shared in due course.
“The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness and educate farmers on the appropriate use of cattle ear tags, stock brands as well as provide guidance on how to register on NamLITS Online. Furthermore, there will be dedicated stations in each region to assist livestock farmers with updating stock brands, ear tags and livestock related information on NamLITS,” she explained.
Nghituwamata explained that the campaign was prompted by the high number of unused stock brands registered on the NamLITS database and outdated livestock-related information. For this reason, she added, stock brands that have not been in use for a period of two years will be deactivated in line with the Stock Brands Act 24 of 1995.
“An official notice to deactivate stock brands not in use and other outdated livestock information will be issued after the completion of this campaign,” she said.
Those with any inquiries are encouraged to contact NamLITS at 061 208 342 or 065 240 833, or to contact the Meat Board of Namibia at 061 275 844.
